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Palmyra reviews design proposal for Fireman's Park

By CHRIS SHOLLY

Lebanon Daily News

Updated:
08/29/2013 08:07:00 PM EDT

PALMYRA - Plans are moving forward to refurbish Fireman's Park at Grant and Spruce streets in the borough.

On Tuesday, the Borough Council reviewed a proposal for the design of the park from Rettew Associates Inc., the borough's engineering firm. The estimated cost of the proposal is $46,650. Funds for the proposal would come from $530,000 the borough received from donations plus a state grant.

Last November, the borough received a $200,000 Community Conservation Partnership grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Once the borough receives final design approval from DCNR, the project will be bid.

Council asked borough manager Roger Powl to ask a private engineer, Robert Buchter, if he would consider making a quote on some of the design work in order to reduce the total cost of the design. Buchter is doing work for the borough on the new municipal building project.

In Rettew's defense, Powl said the engineer's estimate is usually the worst-case scenario. The final cost usually comes in much less than the first estimate, he noted.

Plans for the popular park call for a walking path with fitness stations and benches, a gazebo area, a playground with play areas for children with special needs, a basketball court and bocce ball areas. The entire park will be handicap accessible.

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Also Tuesday night, Council recommended the approval and recording of the Spruce Village Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan, a 48-unit apartment complex being developed by Jesse Horst on the south side of Spruce Street.

Council granted a waiver of the Palmyra Subdivision and Land Development ordinance to LIT Palmyra (East Point Trade Center Building C) for a warehouse proposal on General Mills property along North Lingle Avenue. The property straddles the borough, North Londonderry and Derry townships. However, the warehouse would be built on a site that is located in the townships and would not affect the Palmyra section. There is no buyer for the warehouse at this time, according to the developer, Hillwood Investment Properties.

In other business, Powl said the Lebanon County Commissioners have approved the change order costs of $98,882 to include the District Judge's office in the new municipal building, now under construction.

The commissioners also requested a face-to-face meeting with the council to negotiate lease terms in the new building. Council members declined the request, saying they believed the terms of $15 per square foot, which includes utilities, is a fair market price.

Powl announced that the Citizens Fire Co. will hold a public meeting with the borough and North Londonderry Township supervisors to discuss the plans for a new fire station on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Palmyra high school auditorium. Architects will present the plans and answer questions. The general public is invited to attend.

In other action, the Council:

reviewed the 2012 Audit Report by Brown Schultz Sheridan and Fritz. The borough received a clean report.

authorized the closure of Cherry Street between Mark and South Green streets; South Green Street between Cherry and Main streets; Main Street, between Green and Locust streets; South Locust Street between Main and Cherry streets for the annual Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.;

authorized the closure of Main Street from Grant to South College streets; South Railroad Street from Main to Cherry streets; North Railroad Street from Main Street to North Avenue, and North Avenue from North Railroad Street to North Chestnut Street for the Mush in the Slush and tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 7 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. after the Christmas parade;

authorized the closure of South Railroad Street from Park Drive to Walnut Street, and West Walnut Street from South Railroad Street to South Bowman Avenue for Spirit parades by the Palmyra high school band on Oct. 11, Oct. 18 and Nov. 1 beginning at 5:40 p.m.; and,

authorized the closure of North College Street from West Main to West Broad streets on Oct. 10 from 5-9 p.m. for the Citizens Fire Co. No. 1 annual open house.

The council's next workshop will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 10 and the next regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24.